Eight new artists have been announced for 2016 Melbourne Art Trams project, including a tribute to the destroyed historical Smith Street feminist mural – with the introduction of the first community tram.
Now in its fourth year, this much loved project transforms the iconic tram into dynamic public artworks with a selection of diverse designs that display a unique reflection of the selected artists own vision of Melbourne.
A revival of the Transporting Art project that ran between 1987 and 1993, Melbourne Art Trams is made possible through a creative partnership between Melbourne Festival, Creative Victoria and Public Transport Victoria in collaboration with Yarra Trams.
“Each October Melbourne Festival strives to bring audiences and artists together to rediscover and reconnect with our city, and Melbourne Art Trams plays a pivotal part in that,” said Melbourne Festival’s Artistic Director, Jonathan Holloway. “This project allows us to take art to the many and varied streets and suburbs of the city and the tram designs of all eight selected artists will tell a very unique and special story.”
The eight exciting local artists selected for this year’s Melbourne Art Trams project include professional artists Joceline Lee, Eddie Botha, Jon Cattapan, Reko Rennie, Mimi Leung and Damiano Bertoli; emerging artist Eliza Dyball; and for the first time, a community tram has been introduced inspired by the celebrated 1986 Smith Street mural by Megan Evans and Eve Glenn.
The Women’s Mural – From Bonboniere to Barbed Wire depicting Northcote women on the side of the Gas and Fuel depot wall on the corner of Hodgkinson and Smith Street, was heavily graffitied earlier this year, leading to a large public outcry. Melbourne Art Trams first community tram will pay tribute to this important work that represented the many and varied females of every kind within the city.
This year’s artists were selected by a curatorial panel from Melbourne Festival, Creative Victoria, Public Transport Victoria, Yarra Trams and 2013 Melbourne Art Trams emerging artist, Freya Pitt.
A People’s Choice Award will be announced following the release of all eight trams onto the network. The public will be able to vote for their favourite tram at: www.festival.melbourne/arttrams in October. All trams will remain on the tracks until April 2017.
The 2016 Melbourne Festival runs 6 – 23 October, with the full program announced on 2 August. For more information, visit: www.festival.melbourne for details.
Image: Part of the 1986 Smith Street mural by Megan Evans and Eve Glenn (supplied)